Covering almost 9,000 square kilometers, Yellowstone is the largest national park in the USA, bigger in fact than several US states. Best known for its many geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful Geyser, it has a wonderful diversity of habitats and scenery and wildlife that includes Black & Grizzly Bears, Moose, Elk, Bison and Grey Wolf. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded, amongst them Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Red-naped & Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain & Western Bluebirds and Townsend’s Solitaire.

To the south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is arguably even more picturesque. The majestic Teton Mountains, climaxed by the 13,772-foot Grand Teton, tower over a string of conifer-ringed lakes, the winding Snake River and extensive areas of sagebrush and grassland. This will be the setting for us to look for a range of mammal species plus birds such as Dusky Grouse, Western Tanager, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Green-tailed Towhee, Trumpeter Swan, Sandhill Crane and several woodpecker species.